Fire One! -- First Novel Submission Launched

[dr_phil_physics]

I Made The Deadline

At the beginning of July I posted about a first novel contest out of England via Tor UK. First three chapters and a complete synopsis were to be received "on or before the closing date of 20 August 2009 17:30 GMT." That's 13:30 EDT here in West Michigan.

I sent the e-mail with both RTF attachments at 13:18 EDT. What? I still had 12 minutes.

A lesser person might have been nervous or upset. I kept on double-checking the files, proofing the synopsis and the e-mail text until I was happy. Or as happy as I was going to be. (grin) But see, I have plenty of experience with deadlines -- like end of semester grades. (double-trouble-grin)

So Is This Contest A Good Deal?

I haven't decided. But because Tor UK is involved, I didn't think they'd like the publicity of really screwing over new writers, so that was the deciding factor. Besides, one of the goals of my sabbatical was to complete a couple of novels and we've done one now. And at worst, I'll be free to send it off again at the end of November, which is pretty fast for a novel rejection.

On to the next project. After I clear up some loose files and take a breath. (triple-word-score-grin)

OAS Project

Due Date: Thursday 20 August 2009

Dr. Phil

Comments

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Hey, good luck!!

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Luck has nothing to do with it. Great gobs of luck has everything to do with it. (grin)

Dr. Phil

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Congrats on getting it completed and submitted in time.

And great gobs of luck your way.
:)

Valya

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Thank you. You know part of the hardest thing to do was get up the nerve to write the Synopsis. (grin) It's not the same as a story, you aren't trying to hold anything back. You're trying to get an editor or an agent to understand where it is all going.

Dr. Phil

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Ugh, the synopsis.

Yes, I know that arduous process well (I've had to find an agent three times.) I found it really difficult to reveal everything in such a way, because the book is crafted with such care and often in a nonlinear fashion. It's a challenge.

[nerwengreen.livejournal.com]

Congrats on making the deadline! :)

[aloysius7.livejournal.com]

A finished and submitted novel. Yay!

[shouldersofgiantmidgets.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Congratulations on getting the submission in! Hope you poured yourself a suitable toast!

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Even better. Local fresh tomato sandwich. With chunky peanut butter. And a cold Coke. And on the TV? An episode on Rides about Lamborghinis!

Dr. Phil

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Wait...tomato with chunky peanut butter? Really? That's one I've never heard before.

[steve-buchheit.livejournal.com]

it's fantastic.

Really?

[charyvna.livejournal.com]

Truly?

I cannot imagine, but now I have to try it.

Re: Really?

[steve-buchheit.livejournal.com]

This weekend gets yourself a nice meaty tomato, your favorite peanut butter, a good leaf of lettuce, a nice bread, and something like Miracle Whip. Make it like a BLT only with peanut butter instead of bacon.

Re: Really?

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Forget Miracle Whip -- we discovered that Kraft makes an Olive Oil based mayonnaise which has FLAVOR. And I use a piece of cheese, too.

Dr. Phil

[anothernathan.livejournal.com]

Ditto on the great gobs of luck!

This is not entirely altruistic on my part. I've mentioned elsewhere that I'm not a huge fan of short stories. I'm just wired that way; I don't know why.

But novels? I love novels. So hurry up and get published so I can add you to my list of authors who's stuff I need to read.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

I wrote a novel a few years ago, but the ending sucked. I can change that, but more importantly I've learned (a) a lot more about writing since then and (b) a lot more details about how my 29th century hard military SF universe is put together.

Anyway, second novel of the summer starts on Monday.

Dr. Phil

[steve-buchheit.livejournal.com]

Sending great gobs of luck your way. :)

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

I think they arrived, but they sort of poured out of a USB port and made a mess on the desk.

Dr. Phil

[steve-buchheit.livejournal.com]

Opps. Sorry, those were the Great Green Gobs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts. Sending Gobs of Goodwill and Luck through USPS.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Does that violate US Postal regulations? I know they ask what's in the package and...

Dr. Phil

PS- you went to summer camp in yer yute, didn't you?